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I really love stitching on my cards, but I have heard that the paper particles can really gum up a sewing machine. What is the best technique and tool for keeping my machine paper particle-free?
Clean it up after every use and especially don't sew through adhesive. That will gunk up your machine faster than you can blink your eye. I have a little Janome that's really simple to keep clean. I just remove the plate that covers the bobbin and brush and blow out particles and always make sure I don't use adhesive where I'm going to stitch. I'm not the best machine sewer on cards but have learned this through much trial and error.
good grief, i bought a janome mini just to sew on paper. i save my real machine now for fabric only....but i will now clean out the new bobbin case every week to prevent buildup.
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I also have the Janome sew mini and haved used it primarily for paper although I did venture out of the norm and make a couple ill-fitting poodle skirt things for my 2 daughters. LOL
I have yet to change the needle (knock on wood) and I have used my sew mini a LOT! I even occasionally sew through adhesive, although I try to avoid red line tape for sure!
I rarely clean it out, but when I do, I use the little can of air and blast it.
I have definitely made my (cheap-$300) sewing machine need maintenance by using it for cards. I think it would be worthwhile to get a very very cheap sewing machine to do it instead.
Be careful using the canned air or blowing out dust....it tends to only make it go deeper into the machine and clog up spots that only a technician can get to. You are better off to use the little brushes most machines come with instead of air.
Be careful using the canned air or blowing out dust....it tends to only make it go deeper into the machine and clog up spots that only a technician can get to. You are better off to use the little brushes most machines come with instead of air.
What size needle does everyone use on their Janome mini? I read somewhere that using a specific size should be used for paper sewing. Can't remember what size it said though.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Phillis
What size needle does everyone use on their Janome mini? I read somewhere that using a specific size should be used for paper sewing. Can't remember what size it said though.
I bought an inexpensive machine ($6.97) at Tuesday Morning just to use for cards.
wow what a price
how much is the Janome mini?
__________________ ************************************************************** Deborah "Imagination is more important than knowledge" ~ Albert Einstein
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nicole's Mom
wow what a price
how much is the Janome mini?
retails for $49.99 or $59.99. I got mine on sale for $39.99 at Hancock Fabrics.
The difference is that the Janome sew mini is a REAL sewing machine that happens to work well for crafts. The crafting sewing machines I have seen look more like toys. I even bought one of those hand held sewing things a long time ago and ended up throwing it away because it didn't work. LOL
Oh and BTW... I do NOT own stock in Janome. LOL :cool:
As someone who teaches quilting and has diverted in a big way to papercraft, PLEASE PLEASE change your needle regularly everyone!
They cost pennies and they are a disposible item! I always have someone on a beginner's course who proudly says they've never changed the needle since electric machines. When they start to sew you can see that this is causing all kinds of problems. On fabric you can unpick, on paper your mistakes and skiped stitches are there for ever and will spoil your creation.
OK off my soapbox , enjoy sewing on your cards everyone!
I picked up a Brother sewing machine at a yard sale for $10 to use on my cards and LO's and it works but just have to find a place for it in my studio. Was wondering though, what size needle is best to use for a regular sewing machine for sewing on cardstock/paper.
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I'd suggest an 80 or a 90. Lower number = smaller hole. So if you wanted to paper pierce, use a 100 or a jeans needle and sew with no thread in and you'll get a large, regular hole.
Too small, a 60 or 70, and you might find the needle breaks.
When you find the size needle you like, choose your current "paper" needle and mark the shaft with nail polish or permanent ink. That way you know not to use it on sewing projects; paper sewing will blunt needles quickly; not a problem until you come to mend a t-shirt seam:p
Sewing on Paper
